Who We Are

Our organization consists of over 1,100 authors, historians, railroad employees, photographers, model railroaders, and just plain rail fans who share our interest in the railroads that served the anthracite coal mining region of eastern Pennsylvania. These include:

Central Railroad of New Jersey

Lehigh Valley Railroad

Reading Company

Lehigh and New England

Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad

Lackawanna Railroad

Publications

Our periodical, Flags, Diamonds, and Statues, a magazine of which any professional publisher would be proud, is sent three times a year to all members. A typical issue can contain historical articles, maps, diagrams, and beautiful old photos. Back issues are available in print or digital form. We also publish the Anthracite Extra, a newsletter which informs members of Society activities and products as well as Society business.

Modeling

We produce, and offer for sale, limited run railroad models applicable to the anthracite railroads which are otherwise unavailable through the regular model industry. The ARHS also has for sale many company plans and paint diagrams of equipment.

Restoration

The ARHS owns several locomotives which include EMD F3 A&B units, an ALCO FA, RS3’s, an ex-LV 50 ft white boxcar (#8221), as well as several other pieces of equipment. Our active restoration group spends summer and fall weekends at Scranton, Pennsylvania bringing our collection of historic railroad equipment back to beauty and life as a full size recreation of anthracite railroading. They welcome help from anyone interested in learning about and working on older locomotives and railway cars.

Meetings & Fellowship

Our monthly meetings are held on the second Friday of each month at the Quakertown Train Station, 15 Front Street, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, beginning at 7:30 P.M. A brief business meeting is followed by a pleasant social session and, usually, and informative and entertaining program on some aspect of anthracite railroading, highlighted by films, slides or videos from members’ collections. Our annual meeting is held at a different town within the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or New York and features modeling and prototype clinics and discussions, visual presentations and a business meeting. There is also the chance to chat with authorities in the field of railroad history and get firsthand, authentic insights into areas of mutual interest.

Board of Directors

Looking to contact someone about a specific issue? Wondering who we are? Here is who makes up the current ARHS Board of Directors:

Questions About Past Railroad Employees

Can you supply information about my friend or relative who worked for one of the Anthracite Railroads?

Unfortunately, there is no place we know of that Anthracite Railroad employee records per se were preserved. The ARHS archival collection of records includes some scattered references to employees. These records are not cataloged by any reference to employees or by the title of the document itself. At the present time, we simply do not have enough people to catalog and index our records, let alone search for employee information. We appreciate your understanding.

The Railroad Retirement Board (like Social Security for railroaders) maintains information on railroaders who worked after 1936. Please visit the geneology section of their website for information on a (paid) search of their records.

Some other scattered references include the Hagley Museum in Wilmington, Del and the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, Pa. but due to lack a staffing, searches at either of these sources will most likely need to be done in person.

Upcoming Events

The late Richard Samsel was a long-time ARHS member. While Richard is no longer be with us, we can remember him by viewing a slide program that he had assembled. Rich Jahn will narrate. As a Christmas bonus, David Fluck of

Dave Augsburger whose favorite season is winter will be our presenter with a slide show assembled from his vast collection. The program topic will be posted when known. Then again, Dave’s programs are always good. Don those snowshoes and come.

Historical Stories

Any members who wish to supply a series of photos linked with a short story that can be made into a multimedia presentation are welcome to contact us. We will do all of the formatting, you will only need to supply the material.

Bulletin Board

We have established a cooperative relationship with a Yahoo bulletin board. To participate in a forum or if you have questions about Anthracite Railroads and this organization you can join the list for free.